Dinner Disaster... Or Not!

If I've said this once, I've said it 100 times- not following a recipe can be a big risk with mixed results.  Last night at dinner was no different.
I started thinking about what I was going to make for dinner at about noon- and felt like it was definitely a crock pot, pot roast kind of a day.  I fully intended on going home, starting dinner and doing some serious cleaning and packing for the big move next week (that's for another blog though...). 

So I go to the grocery store and get the staples:

*2.5lb chuck roast

*a small bag of baby carrots

*garlic

*6 white chef potatoes

*1 large yellow onion

... and my secret ingredient to anything in the crock pot- red wine (for the meal, not for me!)

I go home thinking I'm set to go and start by browning up the meat on the stove top... while that's browning itself up, I discover that we have no wine key- how is that even real??  Pretty sure we broke it a few weeks ago.  Okay, so I'm not fretting yet, I'll just use some beef stock for my pot roast to stew in... only, there's no beef stock either.  So after digging through the cabinets, I discover one lone package of Lipton's Vegetable Soup mix (you know the kind, mix it w water and noodles for soup, or sour cream for a yummy dip)- well it seems like a fair substitute. 

So all of the ingredients plus 3 cups of water and a few tablespoons of worchester sauce get tossed into the crock pot to hang out together and make nice.   Three hours later, the house smells of a childhood wintertime favorite of mine... and I'm ready to dish it out. 

Outcome: SUCCESS!  The vegetable mix marinated the meat well and the vegetables kept their flavor, and a bit of crunch!

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StacyM@ErrandsEtcetera.biz

Perfect Pasta Salad

In keeping with the theme of having this blog be a mixed bag of topics, I'd like to take this time to tell you about the AMAZING pasta salad I made for dinner the other night.  Everyone always claims the best recipe for their pasta salad, saying people rave over the flavor and texture... but I really have the best blend going. 
I started with my cooked pasta, after letting it cool I coated it with Italian dressing, seeking inspiration, I dug around in the fridge... and this is what I pulled out:

Roasted Red Peppers
Cherry Tomatoes
Capers
Hot Sauce
Onion
Black Olives

Mixed all together, these ingredients made for one of the most yummy side dishes I've ever created! 
**Sorry I didn't include measurements, I typically "eyeball" everything and keep trying it until I get it right!**

www.ErrandsEtcetera.bizStacym@ErrandsEtcetera.biz

This little piggy went to market...

So, you've gone and made the dreaded trip to the grocery store, and the first thing you do when you get home is just to put everything into the pantry, cabinets, and fridge... Well, here are a few time saver tips for you!  It might take a little more time when you get home, but I promise will save you time after work in preparing for dinner!
Let's start with produce; give them a quick shower, and cut them up depending on how you are going to use them (ex. green beans- cut off the ends, tomatoes- dice up for salads, or slice for sandwiches, etc).  Put them in see through containers that will keep them fresh, easily visible, and ready to munch!
Next up is the fruits; again, give them a quick bath so that you can just reach in the fridge and grab a plum, or handful of grapes on the go!
Moving right along to the meaty part of this project; I get my meats and fish from the deli, so when I get home I divide it into serving sizes and freeze everything.  The night before, or morning of dinner, it's super simple to just pick a bag out of the freezer, and not worry about portion sizes... I can always increase the serving size with another piece!
Keeping cabinets clean and organized is another great tip- when things are accessible and easily seen, you know what you have, and things aren't going to waste, or forgotten!  I try to clear out my cabinets with every season change.
There are times that I venture out to the grocery store without a list, and wind up making all sorts of impulse purchases, mostly because I've forgotten what I have at home, and seeing certain foods make my mouth water (this happens frequently in the ice cream, and fruit section!)... so washing and preparing fresh foods is a necessity for me- it helps me remember what I have at home when I'm thinking "What's for dinner...."  Taking that extra time really is huge for me and I hope it works for you!

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stacym@errandsetcetera.biz

Supper Time Time Savers!

A great deal of my clients are (obviously) strapped for time, and coming home, trying to create something "different" for dinner is more than they have the energy for.   This blog highlights a few tips and favorite things that make making dinner less of a hassle and more of a pleasure!

1. Breakfast for dinner!  When I was a kid, this was a real classic! Scrambled eggs, toast, and either sausage or bacon.  Won't take more that 20 minutes from start to finish, and will leave you feeling more than satisfied!

2.  Anything in the crock pot!  I got a crock pot for my birthday in September, and I can't tell you how many times it's saved my life!  From making soups, to sauces, for full dinners- this is my go-to favorite appliance!  I love few things more than coming home to a savory smelling home, and dinner ready to dish out!

3.  Don't forget about your grill- this is also a great go-to tool- the only problem with mine, is it's a community appliance and a bit of a trek through the parking lot to get to!  Grills are essential because the flavor is so intense, while clean up is minimal at best!  I love to marinate chicken, or steak in italian dressing, along with a bit of  hot sauce and some other secret ingredients all day long to really intensify the taste!  Another great tip- stab meat with a fork in several different places to let the marinade "sink" in! Wrap veggies up with some seasoning and oil in a foil packet and place it right on the grill!  Veggies still have that crisp bite, and keep their flavor, while not tasting too "charcoal-y." 

4.  Avoid calling for delivery!  Pillsbury makes a great pizza dough- you just roll it out and bake it with your favorite toppings for about 15 minutes- fresh, simple, and cheaper than delivery!

Dinner doesn't always need to be extravagant, expensive, or complicated and time consuming... but it should be healthy and delicous!

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